Madrid, 12 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Luis Rubiales has handed in his resignation as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in the wake of a kissing affair at the women's World Cup, but remained defiant on the issue that has rocked football for the past three weeks.

Rubiales had told journalist Piers Morgan on Sunday that he would step down after five years on the job, and the RFEF confirmed later in a brief statement that he has tendered his resignation in a letter to caretaker president Pedro Rocha.

The RFEF said that Rubiales was also stepping down as vice-president of the European governing body UEFA.

Rubiales, 46, had come under fire for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent after Spain won the women's World Cup title on August 20 in Sydney.

Rubiales refused to step down at a RFEF assembly on August 25, hitting out at "fake feminism" and speaking of a "social execution."

He was provisionally suspended by the world governing body FIFA, and Hermoso filed a criminal complaint last week over the incident.

She had said on Instagram five days after the incident that "I felt vulnerable and a victim of impulsive-driven, sexist, out-of-place act, without any consent on my part."

Rubiales' action was widely condemned in Spain and around the world, ranging from athletes to politicians and the United Nations.

Women's team coach Jorge Vilda was dismissed after his entire staff walked out, and a large number of players, including the entire women's World Cup squad, said they would not play as long as Rubiales was president.

Rubiales, whose mother had gone on a hunger strike for a few days in criticism of the treatment of her son, remained defiant right until the end.

In a statement on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, issued late Sunday, Rubiales spoke of "powers that will prevent my return", and lamented a "disproportionate campaign" against him that spread lies.

"I will defend my honour. I will defend my innocence. I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth," he said.

The Sport paper said on Monday that the statement "was more evidence that he is living in an unreal world."

Acting vice-Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz spoke of a success of feminism as the incident is widely seen as the MeToo moment in the country.

"The feminist country is moving on faster and faster. The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We stand with you, Jenni, and with all women," Diaz said on X.

Photo: X